Health Benefits of Wheatgrass | Health Tips - HealthyLife

Wheatgrass is nothing but the tender cotyledons or young leaves of wheat. Leaves in wheatgrass are longer than the malt and has a rich concentration of iron, contains good amount of fiber. vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, iron, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium, and has a negligible amount of protein. Wheatgrass is sold as dietary supplements as tablets, capsules or liquid forms.

Consumption of wheatgrass goes many centuries back – almost 5,000 years back to ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations. For Egyptians wheatgrass leafy blades were sacred and they honored them for their health benefits. Wheatgrass has also been used for thousands of years in India, as part of Ayurvedic medicine.  Wheatgrass can be grown indoors and it is very easy to sprout.

Wheatgrass proponent Charles Schnabel claimed in the 1940s “fifteen pounds of wheatgrass is equal in overall nutritional value to 350 pounds of ordinary garden vegetables”. One ounce of wheatgrass contains 120 calories, 8 grams of dietary fiber, 240% of the RDA of vitamin A, 93% of the RDA of vitamin C, 356% of the RDA of iron, and 12% of the RDA of calcium (Wikipidia) It also contains 8 grams of protein. The chlorophyll – green pigment content in wheatgrass is about 70%.  This content makes wheatgrass more powerful source of immune booster. Chlorophyll reverses aging, suppresses hunger, cleanses the blood, combats odor, and prevents cancer.  The benefit of wheatgrass is more when taken fresh and an empty stomach immediately after extraction.

How much wheatgrass is good? While consuming wheatgrass one need to be very careful because, too much consumption of wheatgrass can cause nausea, sickness or headache.  If you are incorporating wheatgrass juice into your diet, start with 1 ounce per day and slowly graduate to 2 ounces per day. Wheatgrass must be consumed in empty stomach or with other fresh fruits and vegetables.

Several reports and studies claims that wheatgrass is beneficial for our health in various ways.

1. It is a source of good fiber for weight loss. Wheatgrass can provide the endurance and energy needed to burn of calories without getting fatigued. The nutrients in wheatgrass speeds up metabolism and this converts calories to energy.
2. Reduces obesity – after consuming wheatgrass one will feel full stomach.
3. It also believe to stimulates thyroid gland.
4. It detoxifies and cleans liver. It helps in the movement of bowels.
5. Improves Hemoglobin level because of high chlorophyll content.
6. It is also a source beneficial enzymes and helps to heal the wounds fast. It helps to sooth the skin and acts as a soothing agent for damaged skin and scalp.
7. Juice is a immune booster and reduces body pains. It has superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme that helps to reduce inflammation.
8. Wheatgrass will cleanse your blood and help rejuvenate aging cells, slowing the aging process. It will help tighten loose and sagging skin.
9. Wheatgrass has high potassium content and this improves skin quality and muscle tone.
10. Wheatgrass’ alkalizing effect may, indeed, help to maintain strong bones.
11. Wheatgrass also have some effect in reducing blood sugar level.

Try this juice to boost your day made with Kale, green apples, ginger and wheatgrass.

• 2 bunches kale,
• 4 green apples,
• 1 box wheatgrass
• 1 small piece of ginger

Grind all these together with two cups of water and sieve the content using a filter. Drink the green juice.

Disclaimer: Wheatgrass may cause nausea, headaches or swelling in the throat. Wheatgrass is usually grown in soil or water and consumed raw, might be contaminated with bacteria or fungus. It may not be good for breast feeding mother or during pregnancy period. If you are allergic to wheat, celiac disease, or gluten intolerance, check with your doctor before using wheatgrass. 

References:

1. http://thebaremidriff.com/
2. http://www.webmd.com/
3. http://rockymountainwheatgrass.com/
4. http://wholegreenlove.com/

Image credit: https://www.needpix.com/photo/323404/grass-green-wheat-in-wheat-field-barley-wheat-field-free-pictures-free-photos-free-images (Free for commercial use)